Skater and musician Reno Pratama was born to twelve bars.

RENO, for those of us who don’t know you, tell us who you are, and what you do.

I’m Reno Pratama, a.k.a. Renprat. I’m a street skateboarder and musician … I was born to play twelve bar blues.

How did you grow up?

I grew up with my skateboard, my guitar and harmonica … and lots of travelling with friends. Sometimes as a lonely wolf traveller! Getting to know other cultures and, yeah, it’s all about living a good life.

Is guitar your one true passion?

Yes, I love to play and jam with players of other instruments … so, anyone wanna jam with me?

Who are your influences and how would you describe your playing style?

So many people influence me. My style I would describe as simple and elegant.

What guitar/amp combination do you prefer?

Fender Blues Deluxe and Cry Baby.

Self-taught?

Yes, pretty much, I love to learn … but I do pick up riffs and licks from the people I hang out with.

What’s your philosophy on life?

Break your love but don’t break your heart. Break your board but don’t break your life. Peace for the world!

When are you happiest?

I’m always happy when I’m with people who can show me things I’ve never seen or known before.

What makes you cry?

When a good friend dies.

What makes you different?

I’m not sure about that one … I just try to be myself – a common person. Keep it real, and follow my heart.

Tell us about your skating, and skating in Indonesia.

Skateboarding life has been so good. A lot of competition and demonstration here … it’s good for the next generation. If you ask me about Indonesian skateboarding, it’s really huge.

How did you get into it?

I grew up in the Senayan (Jakarta) skateboarding scene starting in 1998, and all the Indonesian legend skateboarders came from there – Jack Curtin, Bima G, Rico Prams, Tony Seruntul, Davit Has, Mark O’Brian started skateboarding there. They always talked about the fun life – skateboarding with good attitude. It’s a lifestyle forever … skate ‘til we die.

What’s right about Indonesia. What’s wrong?

Indonesia has so many things. We have different cultures, languages, beautiful islands, good waves, good streets for skateboarding in Jakarta, and other big cities here …

Skate and guitar, sounds like the perfect youth dream. Anything else in your armoury?

Skateboarding and guitar are my life, but not the only things in my life. I have other stuff going on – but maybe that’s a story for another time …